50 years ago
Feb. 12, 1975
— AERIAL VIEWS SHOW MAJOR PROJECT PROGRESS AND OUTLINE IN CASSVILLE
There are several major projects in Cassville that are ither nearing completion, Underway or in the final process of planning. In order of completion stage the projects include FASCO Industry’s new plant n the southeast part of Cassville, Senior Citizen Rental Housing project of 20 units and the Cassville Airport. FASCO’s building is pictured for the first time in the accompanying photos from the aerial prospective that gives a better indication of the plant size. Also pictured is an area photo of the airport site, with location lines outlining the project. Not included in the photo series is the start of construction on the senior citizen project which will cost $226,000. Subcontractors for Goetz Construction Co. of Joplin have begun initial ground work at the 1200 block location of Townsend street here. One hundred and 80 working days will be allowed on the contract. The five buildings each containing four units will be located on the property purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Bill Smith. A recreation facility will also be provided on the two acre site. Cassville Senior Citizen Rental Housing Corp., is financing the project through a loan of funds from the Farmer’s Home Administration. Work on the building proper for FASCO is expected to be completed within the next three weeks. Additional time with weather cooperation will be required for work on the grounds, including access road and parking area. The airport program is still in the paperwork approval stage, with only minor details remaining. The major portion of engineering and land acquisition has been completed either by the City of Cassville or CASCO Corporation. Estimated to run in the neighborhood of $300,000, the program will be financed about 80% through state and federal funding.
— NEAR RECORD TOTAL MARRIAGES DURING ‘74
While recently released national figures indicate that marriages are on the decline, possibly because of economic conditions. Barry County young people apparently feel confident in the future as they replaced the home ties with wedding knots in unusually high numbers during the past year. According to year end records for 1974 compiled by Circuit Clerk Artie Spain, a near-record total of 273 couples were issued marriage licenses in the 12 month period. 16 more than last year’s total of 257. August was the busiest month for marriages in the county with 36 licenses issued while June, the traditional month for brides, was second with 31. December, which has been increasing in popularity in past years with couples taking advantage of holiday vacations, shared the third most popular month spot with October with each having 24. Total licenses issued by the month during the year: January 19, February 16. March 22, April 20, May 22. June 31, July 17, August 36, September 19, October 24. November 23 and December 24.
— FINAL INSPECTION ON NEW SCHOOL FACILITY
Howard Miller, Director of School Building Services, visited the Cassville R-4 schools January 22 and 23. During the two-day visit the total plant system was reviewed and a report will be submitted to the Board of Education from the State Department of Education. Mr. Miller, along with Architect A. C. Esterly, met with the Board of Education in a two-hour discussion session Thursday. Final inspection of the new facility was made in preparation for final payment of funds from the State. Representatives from Ideal Construction Company, contractors on the new facility, were present during the inspection tour. From this initial review will come a detailed study for the Board of Education and community. Some priorities will be established for continuation of expansion to the plant system. The Director of Building Services was very complimentary to the Cassville Board for putting together the present plant system under the local financial structure. The campus plot plan will be developed to fully utilize available space for student use. Long range projections will be made in an effort to establish the needs in a systematic, wellplanned program.
40 years ago
Feb. 13, 1985
— VETS COMPETE CATTLE CARE STRUCTURE
Dr. Eugene Miekley and Dr. David Cupps, Cassville veterinarians, are completing installation of a 40X40 foot building to be used in their practice for inside working and treating of cattle. The steel structure is located adjacent to their offices on old Highway 37 west of Cassville.
— ANNEXATIONS, DRAINAGE, NEW TOWER ATTRACT COUNCIL PLANS
Cassville city council held a public hearing on one voluntary annexation proposal, initially accepted a second request and moved to request federal assistance in acquiring a third water storage tower in a regular meeting session Tuesday night. There were no objections voiced in a public hearing before the regular meeting opened, concerning acceptance of Meadow Valley into the city limits. Located in the southwest corner of Cassville, the area includes a number of residences and vacant acreage that desires to become part of the city limits. Handling the hearing was Mayor protem John Miller, due to Meadow Valley requests being presented by Jim LeCompte, attorney and part of the land being owned by Mayor Bill LeCompte. Process of accepting the section will be a seven day waiting period for further comments and an ordinance scheduled for presentation at the March 12 alderman meeting. Presented in the first process to the council was a request from Mr. and Mrs. Doug Samuel, owners of two lots in Wildwood Estates, who want volunteer annexation. The request, presented by attorney Tom Cardin, was placed for a 7:00 p.m. public hearing, March12.Thelotsinvolved were skirted in a previous annexation project in the northeast sub-division in Cassville. George Ulmer, engineer, presented council a proposed Community Development Block Grant proposal that would cover only addition of a 200,000 gallon water storage tower to Cassville. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources had earlier told Cassville the two present towers, 150,000 gallon each, are not adequate for the city’s needs. Council information was that due to federal cutbacks of programs, only one project will be accepted this year. The tower need, directed by the state, was considered the most important to fully serve the needs of the people. Mayor LeCompte announced to the public that a previous executive session, with aldermen John Miller, Allen Stubblefield, Bob Mizer and Bill Ward attending, a settlement in litigation with Snyder Construction of Joplin had been reached. City attorney Don Cupps said the $9,650 settlement regarding the waste water treatment plant was about one half that sought by the company. Cassville has expended an equal amount in repairs to the facility which was constructed by the Joplin firm. Ulmer reported to council he had not completed survey of drainage problems on West Street. Council discussed possible cooperative project with the Missouri Highway Department that would alleviate residential problems of run-off during heavy rains. Clell Wade, moving his Coaches Directory business to the old Masonic building, appeared to support an earlier request for a loading zone on East Seventh. Council approved request for one space, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for one hour limit only, to be available for any vehicle requiring delivery service in the business area. Andy Olson appeared to object to city roping off Third Street on two occasions for youngsters to use the hill for sledding. After considerable discussion on Mr. Olson’s part, no action was taken. Neal Cook, who has been emergency preparedness director, resigned his post. Cook is leaving the community to becoming associated full-time with the National Guard in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mayor LeCompte expressed the council’s appreciation for Cook’s efforts. Cupps instructed to get status report on drive-way at Red Rose Inn, where problem exists with city view of how entrance enters Old Exeter Road. Ulmer and councilman Stubblefield directed by mayor to begin development of 1985 street improvement plan. City anticipates approximately $150,000 in work this summer, financed by sales tax funds. Cupps will contact all area fire departments in an effort to determine if mutual aid agreements desired and how Cassville could participate. Councilman Miller said interviews would be conducted with three applicants for summer parks and recreation director. Report of discussions will be made at March meeting. No action resulted in further discussion of television satellite placement in residential areas. Tim Miller, water superintendent, reported he was about two-thirds finished with a project of identifying by number 1,200 water meters in town. File will include condition, last replacement and other information. Fred Evans, waste water plant manager, reported monthly flow of 14,812,000 gallons, averaging 477,806 gallons daily. Miller’s report had 13,328,000 gallons of water pumped, 8,398,200 billed for 63 percent. Police Chief Ray Burnette had city court fines $956, costs $300 for the month, total to-date $8,054. Month’s tickets was 26, with weather conditions resulting in 36 motorist assists. Two possession of marijuana arrests made, four driving while intoxicated, three thefts investigated, with peace disturbance and dog complaints numbering five each.
30 years ago
Feb. 1, 1995
— NATIONAL GUARD PROJECT AT OAK HILL CEMETERY
Personnel and equipment from Company C, 203D Engineer Battalion of the Missouri Army National Guard could be involved in a project of extending Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville. Don Warner, representing the cemetery association, said this week the project was in the planning stage to fill a valley at the south side of the cemetery. Sergeant Jerry D. Stanford of the Pierce City/Monett units, confirmed Monday the project is in planning and is awaiting confirmation from Jefferson City headquarters of the MNG. Stanford said the project would include some 4500 cubic yards of rough fill and 10,000 cubic yards of cleaner fill. Warner confirmed the cemetery association had secured fill from at least two locations, both outside of Cassville. National Guard personnel would be involved in the project if state approval is forthcoming. Work would be planned on weekends and depending on weather. Annual training exercises for the units, this summer for two weeks in Panama, would also be considered in work schedules. Stanford said the project was being coordinated by Captain M. Merrill Stevens, company commander. She was in Ft. Leonard Wood Monday and not available for comment. Missouri National Guard projects of this type are used for training and providing community services. Stanford and Warner said a number of area projects involving heavy equipment had been completed by the units in years past. In these projects, National Guard personnel and equipment are used, with the entity benefitting normal. ly bearing fuel and other minor charges. Last major involvement county- wide in National Guard assistance was in 1984 when a blizzard blocked roads and crippled utilities in south Barry County. Guard equipment came to the rural areas providing machinery to clear roads and generators for dairy and poultry people. Company C’s mission is to provide road building capabilities and to construct buildings and utilities to support various miliary and humanitarian activities. The local units are classed as combat ready.
— PAST WHEATON RESIDENT FEATURED ON PBS TV
Former Wheaton resident, Patty (Kenney) Vaughan was featured in a television show January 18 on PBS entitled The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Education. This is the third year that KCTS Channel 9 television has selected educators from throughout Washington state who exemplify excellence in all forms of education. She created a program entitled Hypothesis, that integrates environmental sciences with research English, math, history, art, and work skills for at-risk high school students. She coordinates a school-community partnership which uses local foresters, fisheries biologists, wildlife biologists, geologists, artists, historians, and business owners to make a real-world connection for the students. The Washington Science Teachers Association selected Mrs. Vaughan Secondary Teacher of the Year for Region IX. She has been teaching in the Quillayute Valley School District in Forks, Wa., for 14 years. Her husband Allen is a regional program manager for the Department of Natural Resources in Forks. They have a daughter, Roberta, age 14, and a son, Jamie, age 6. Patty is the daughter of longtime Wheaton resident Marguerite Fergason of Cody, Wy., and the former John Fergason. She is the daughter-in-law of Cassville residents Charles and Joyce Vaughan and the niece of Mildred (Mrs. J. C. “Poss”) Kenney, also of Cassville. She was born and raised in Wheaton and graduated from Wheaton high school in 1969. She received her B. S. Ed from the University of Missouri in 1973 and her M. A. in 1975.
